Chair's Message

Meng
 Weiyi Meng Photography: Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ.

I have great news to share with all of you — as of the start of the fall 2024  semester, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ’s Computer Science Department has become the School of Computing within the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science.

This name change is both a recognition of the rapid growth of computer science-related programs at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ in recent years and a strong indication that Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ University plans to further grow these programs.

Being named a school is a big milestone of the computer science program. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ is one of the four university centers in the State University of New York System and an R1 research institution. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ has been ranked consistently as one of the top public universities in the U.S. and has been the best campus in the State University of New York system for many years (according to the U.S. News & World Report ranking).  In the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ’s computer science program was ranked 201-250 in the world. We offer a high-quality education at an affordable cost.

The School of Computing offers baccalaureate, master’s and PhD degrees in computer science and a master’s degree in information systems. Our Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Computer Science programs have two tracks, one in artificial intelligence and one in cybersecurity. Our Master of Science in Information Systems program has an applied data science track, and we plan to add a cybersecurity track to this program shortly.

With 50 full-time faculty members and over 1,500 students (800-plus undergraduate students, about 600 master’s students and close to 90 PhD students), the School of Computing is the largest (in terms of both faculty size and student enrollment) and the fastest-growing program at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ. We offer a high-quality and state-of-the-art computer science/information systems education for students in all of our degree programs. We have one of the earliest accredited undergraduate programs in the nation (since 1988). Our computer science MS and PhD programs are rigorous and well-established. Students at all levels have opportunities to work with well-known faculty researchers on cutting-edge research projects sponsored by the federal government and high-tech companies. Research results produced by our faculty and students are often published in top computer science conferences and journals. 

Most of our PhD students and many highly qualified master’s students receive scholarships in the form of research or teaching assistantships. In addition, we are very proud of the long and sustained placement record of our graduates.

The School of Computing is strongly committed to cultivating an educational environment where differences and similarities are valued and respected. We value diversity as a strength critical to our educational mission and expect every member of the school to contribute to an inclusive and respectful culture for all. The School of Computing has an active Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Plan that sets new goals in broadening the participation of students, especially women and underrepresented students, in computing.

Thank you for your interest in and support for the School of Computing!

Weiyi Meng

Chair and SUNY Distinguished Service Professor
School of Computing